Masterplan

We've completed a £2.2 million project to improve the links between the market place and Auckland Castle - realigning the road, creating new parking and event spaces and improving the market area itself.

All of this will complement the ambitious work being carried out by the Auckland Castle Trust and Eleven Arches. We're working closely with them so that Bishop Auckland can make the most of the opportunities offered by Kynren and the planned Welcome Building.

New tourism signs, more spaces at Bondgate car park and improvement to the training station will all make the town even more welcoming to new visitors and residents alike.

Other developments

92 Bishop Auckland residents have been helped to get back into work through apprenticeships with local businesses.

Etherley cricket club was given an £8000 grant to enhance their community cricket programme.

Masterplan

Parklife

Getting active and moving at any age is now easier then ever thanks to the Parklife sports scheme.

Activity sessions, aimed at young and old alike, take place every week at Glenholme park, where new-found sportsmen and women are trying their hand at tennis, cricket, football, table tennis and even gentle workouts.

All activities are led by a qualified coach in outdoor park area and we're particularly keen to encourage families to get more active by making more use of the park and grounds.

The Parklife programme is delivered in partnership with Sport England and Change4life.

Other developments

Shop fronts in Hope Street given a makeover under our Targeted Business Improvement scheme.

Almost £1 million is to be spent on improvements at Crook Primary School.

Masterplan

Creating new jobs at Forrest Park

Ambitious plans to bring up to bring up to 3,200 new jobs to Newton Aycliffe's Forrest Park are well underway.

The Local Enterprise Partnership has provided £13 million to give the 52 hectare site, situated alongside the existing Aycliffe Business Park, all the infrastructure it needs to attract new businesses.

A new road and pedestrian crossings are among the changes being made to an area which suffers from severe congestion at peak times.

We're carrying out the work - which could ultimately lead to a £140 million investment from the private sector.

Other development

The £82 million Hitachi factory is now well established.

Relocation of the library and Customer Access Point to the leisure centre.

Masterplan

Find out how Business Durham has helped a local business, as well as recent investment in Shildon

Liberty Drums

A County Durham firm making bespoke drum kits continues to be a big hit - snaring high profile customers from around the world.

Among the big-name stars beating a path to Liberty Drums, on the Dabble Duck Industrial estate, are Coldplay and Nicki Minaj. The order book has swollen by 60% in three years, fuelled by industry buzz. Liberty Chief Executive Andrew Street is now aiming to double his workforce to cater for demand.

Business Durham, the economic development company for County Durham, worked hard with Andrew to find him new commercial premises after the company outgrew its previous base in Newton Aycliffe.

Other developments

£9 million private sector investment at Future Durham Business Park.

£100,000 project to regenerate Shildon town centre in preparation for the Flying Scotsman visit in 2016.

Masterplan

Ox Close Primary School improvements

It's no longer just swings and roundabouts at Ox Close Primary School, where a £1.25 million project has been improving children's play areas.

Two new classrooms, a new multi-use games area (MUGA) and an extension of the school's hall have been built in an improvement project that we've designed and completed. Headteacher, Daniel Harrison said, "The new facilities are magnificent and have already enhanced our provision beyond belief. They allow us the space in which to learn and explore, an area in which we can perform with musicians and artists and the perfect arena in which to hone our widely renowned sporting acumen'.

Other development

£300,000 has been spent on town centre improvements since 2009.

DurhamGate is set for further expansion with additional office space and possibly a car showroom, creche and cafe.